Beautiful, one-of-a-kind custom home is now available. Open House this week-end, Saturday Feb. 16 and Sunday Feb. 17, from 1 to 4. Come by and see this gorgeous property.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Things To Do with the 1-Hour Notice You Request Before Showing Your Home
We have a listing where the homeowner requires at least a 1-hour notice before showing the home. Here’s what we suggested she do with that hour, and we think it might be helpful for you when you are showing your home, or if company is coming with short notice, etc.
- Store out of sight any kids toys and/or pet toys and beds.
- Vacuum/sweep the main living areas and bedrooms.
- Dust lampshades and surfaces that are eye level and below.
- Turn on ALL lights (make sure all light bulbs are working).
- Open ALL curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible.
- Open windows (if it’s warm enough).
- Depending on the time of year, either turn the heat up 2 degrees or turn up the air conditioning by 2 degrees. You want buyers to be comfortable inside the home while they are there for the showing.
- Make sure there aren’t any lingering cooking odors. If you did have them, try simmering cinnamon on the stove in the hour before the showing to give your home a pleasant smell.
- Take anything valuable with you when you leave, including your pets, i.e., jewelry, prescription drugs, cash, and irreplaceable items.
If you found these tips helpful, please let us know in the comment box!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Acknowledging a Christian Religion Day of Significance
Today is Ash Wednesday which is the first day of Lent in the Western Christian calendar. Occurring 46 days before Easter, it is a moveable fast that can fall as early as February 4 and as late as March 10.
According to the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke; Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of this 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a reminder and celebration of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
This practice is common in much of Christendom, being celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and some Baptist denominations.
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a reminder and celebration of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
This practice is common in much of Christendom, being celebrated by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Methodists, and some Baptist denominations.
Many Credit Reports Contain Errors
Here’s an Associated Press story bout errors on credit reports.
Study: 1 In 4 Consumers Had Error In Credit Report
by The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — One in four consumers found an error in a credit report issued by a major agency, according to a government study released Monday.
The Federal Trade Commission study also said that 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products.
The study looked at reports for 1,001 consumers issued by the three major agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The FTC hired researchers to help consumers identify potential errors.
by The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — One in four consumers found an error in a credit report issued by a major agency, according to a government study released Monday.
The Federal Trade Commission study also said that 5 percent of the consumers identified errors in their reports that could lead to them paying more for mortgages, auto loans or other financial products.
The study looked at reports for 1,001 consumers issued by the three major agencies — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. The FTC hired researchers to help consumers identify potential errors.
The study closely matches the results of a yearlong investigation by The Columbus Dispatch. The Ohio newspaper’s report last year said that thousands of consumers were denied loans because of errors on their credit reports.
The FTC says the findings underline the importance of consumers checking their credit reports.
Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report each year from each of the three reporting agencies.
The FTC study also found that 20 percent of consumers had an error that was corrected by a reporting agency after the consumer disputed it. About 10 percent of consumers had their credit score changed after a reporting agency corrected errors in their reports.
The Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents the credit reporting agencies and other data companies, said the FTC study showed that the proportion of credit reports with errors that could increase the rates consumers would pay was small.
The study confirmed “that credit reports are highly accurate, and play a critical role in facilitating access to fair and affordable consumer credit,” the association said in a statement.
Experian, a British company with international operations, also said in a statement the study confirms that consumer credit reports are predominantly accurate. At the same time Experian said it “is not satisfied with this result and we continue to work toward ensuring credit reports are 100 percent accurate.”
The new U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has the authority to write and enforce rules for the credit reporting industry. In September the agency began ongoing monitoring of the credit agencies’ compliance. It’s the first time they have faced such close federal oversight.
The CFPB hasn’t yet taken any public action against the agencies. However, it is accepting complaints from consumers who discover incorrect information on their reports or have trouble getting mistakes corrected. The agencies have 15 days to respond to the complaints with a plan for fixing the problem; consumers can dispute that response.
By contrast the FTC can only take action if there is an earlier indication of wrongdoing. It cannot demand information from or investigate companies that appear to be following the law.
— AP Business Writer Daniel Wagner contributed to this report.
The FTC says the findings underline the importance of consumers checking their credit reports.
Consumers are entitled to a free copy of their credit report each year from each of the three reporting agencies.
The FTC study also found that 20 percent of consumers had an error that was corrected by a reporting agency after the consumer disputed it. About 10 percent of consumers had their credit score changed after a reporting agency corrected errors in their reports.
The Consumer Data Industry Association, which represents the credit reporting agencies and other data companies, said the FTC study showed that the proportion of credit reports with errors that could increase the rates consumers would pay was small.
The study confirmed “that credit reports are highly accurate, and play a critical role in facilitating access to fair and affordable consumer credit,” the association said in a statement.
Experian, a British company with international operations, also said in a statement the study confirms that consumer credit reports are predominantly accurate. At the same time Experian said it “is not satisfied with this result and we continue to work toward ensuring credit reports are 100 percent accurate.”
The new U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has the authority to write and enforce rules for the credit reporting industry. In September the agency began ongoing monitoring of the credit agencies’ compliance. It’s the first time they have faced such close federal oversight.
The CFPB hasn’t yet taken any public action against the agencies. However, it is accepting complaints from consumers who discover incorrect information on their reports or have trouble getting mistakes corrected. The agencies have 15 days to respond to the complaints with a plan for fixing the problem; consumers can dispute that response.
By contrast the FTC can only take action if there is an earlier indication of wrongdoing. It cannot demand information from or investigate companies that appear to be following the law.
— AP Business Writer Daniel Wagner contributed to this report.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Abraham Lincoln’s REAL Birthday
Even though we celebrate our 16th President’s Birthday lumped together with our 1st President’s Birthday, on a legally designated day that isn’t on either’s actual birthday, by going shopping, we wanted you to know that today is his REAL birthday. Here’s a few facts about Abraham Lincoln:Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Wikipedia
| Born: February 12, 1809, Hodgenville Died: April 15, 1865, Petersen House Height: 6′ 4″ Spouse: Mary Todd Lincoln (m. 1842–1865) Children: Robert Todd Lincoln, Tad Lincoln, William Wallace Lincoln, Edward Baker Lincoln Vice presidents: Andrew Johnson, Hannibal Hamlin |
Monday, February 11, 2013
Every Day’s A Holiday
Today is Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk Day and it is recognition that everyone spills a little milk now and then. It’s a day to be optimistic, think positive, look on the bright side, and to find something good in everything that happens.
We’re going to participate in Don’t Cry over Spilled Milk Day with an optimistic attitude and a smile on your face.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
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